Hello there,

Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Latin America, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌎️

If you haven't subscribed yet, now's the perfect time. Don't miss the opportunity to supercharge your understanding and stay ahead in this dynamic world.

Let's delve into the core sections of our weekly newsletter:

• 📰 Important News

• 💸 Top Funding Rounds

• 💰️ Notable Exits

• 🏦 About Investors

• 📋️ Curated Lists

• 📈 Deep Dive Bites

• 🎙️ Expert Insights

• 🤝 Diversity Spotlight

• 🚀 Startup Of the Week

• 💼 Investor of the Week

• 🤑 Opportunity Radar

📰 Important News

• A study by Credit Saison revealed that 85% of LATAM startups have adopted ESOPs, with 75% of them offering plans before Series A.

• Brazil's antitrust regulator has ordered Apple to open up in-app purchases within 20 days or face daily fines of $43,000.

• Sebrae-SP, in partnership with 49 Educação, launched a program to accelerate 150 Brazilian startups.

• Mexico and the UAE have signed an MoU strengthening their bilateral relationship with a focus on technological innovation, trade, and energy.

• Nubank partnered with Puntored to enable free cash deposits into Nu accounts at over 15,000 locations across Colombia.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Colombian fintech Addi secured a $100 million credit line from Victory Park Capital to scale its buy-now-pay-later services.

• Brazilian fintech Makasí raised $19 million to offer digital credit solutions for small real estate developers.

• R2, a Mexican embedded lending platform, raised $9 million in equity led by Hi Ventures and Cometa and secured $50 million in debt to expand in LATAM.

• Bia Energy raised $8.5 million in a bridge round led by climate-focused investors to enhance its smart-metering technology for businesses.

• Mobility startup Rhino raised $3.2 million in seed funding to expand its operations, offering secure rides in hybrid and electric armored vehicles.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Pluxee has acquired Benefício Fácil, a Brazilian provider of employee mobility benefits, to strengthen its position in the Brazilian market.

• Netspaces acquired Insignia Assets to enhance its global real estate tokenization ecosystem.

🏦 About Investors

• NeuroCapital has launched a $200 million fund focused on neurotechnology to treat conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

• Opea and Trademaster launched a $25,07 million Credit Rights Investment Fund to provide B2B credit solutions across Brazil.

• Fiagro Nagro Oikos raised $12,54 million to expand credit operations for small and medium rural producers in Brazil.

• Impacta VC won the ACVC award as a "Key player for the development of the national entrepreneurship and investment ecosystem" in Chile.

📋️ Curated Lists

Brazil's venture capital scene is a powerhouse driving innovation across Latin America. With São Paulo at its center, top VC firms are backing startups in fintech, healthtech, logistics, and more. From early-stage investments to major exits, these VCs are fueling Brazil's entrepreneurial growth and shaping industries. Want to see who’s leading the charge? Check out the full article.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Addi

Colombian fintech Addi, co-founded by Santiago Suárez, has secured a $100 million credit line from Victory Park Capital, following an $86 million venture and debt round in March 2024, bringing its total funding to $562 million. Addi’s "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) solution allows consumers to make purchases through installment payments, increasing credit access. The funds will be used to scale operations, grow its marketplace platform, and expand BNPL services across Colombia.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

NeuroCapital

NeuroCapital, founded by neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis and investor Flavio Pripas, has launched a $200 million fund focused on advancing neurotechnology to treat neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Joining the team is Alan Rudolph, a former DARPA executive and expert in health innovation. The fund aims to tap into the $680 billion global neurotechnology market, investing in solutions for diagnosis, therapy, and cognitive enhancement, while also offering strategic support to startups. NeuroCapital seeks to generate both financial returns and positive social impact by addressing the urgent need for effective treatments for neurological diseases.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Open Call by Pivotal: Action for Women’s Health

Apply for the Action for Women's Health open call and secure funding to enhance women's mental and physical health globally. With a total fund of $250 million, selected organizations will receive flexible funding ranging from $1 million to $5 million. This initiative is designed for organizations focused on serving women and improving health outcomes while centering equity in their approach. To participate, complete the Organizational Readiness Tool and familiarize yourself with the Open Call Rules. Interested organizations must register to apply before December 3, 2024. Complete applications are due before January 10, 2025.